Our friendly dental team are all extremely gentle with our youngest patients and we do everything possible to put them at ease. Our aim is for every child to feel confident and relaxed when visiting our dental clinic and to enjoy the benefits of great dental health, right into adulthood.
During each check-up we will examine their teeth and gums for any signs of problems which may have developed since their last visit. At the same time we will be assessing the overall growth and development of their teeth, jaws and facial structure. We will take low-radiation digital dental x-rays at regular intervals as these show areas hidden from view and help us diagnose any problems.
At the end of each check-up we will discuss our findings with you, including any recommendations for treatment. Please do ask if you have any questions about their dental health or if you would like any more information on how to look after their teeth at home.
Each year, thousands of children in Australia receive dental injuries while playing contact and non-contact sports. Often the damage could have been prevented or minimised had they been wearing a properly fitting mouthguard.
If your child loves to play sports, please ask us about our custom-made mouthguards. These are designed to offer maximum comfort and protection and will fit exactly over your child’s teeth and gums.
The mouthguard is fabricated using an impression of your child’s mouth and will help cushion any blows to their jaw. It should be thoroughly washed after each use and stored away from direct heat in the container provided. We will need to regularly check the fit as the shape of a child’s mouth can rapidly change as their teeth and jaws develop. A custom mouthguard is a worthwhile investment as it could save the need for costly restorative work.
Fissure sealants are excellent for protecting the chewing surfaces of back teeth and we recommend applying them after the eruption of the first and second adult molars, usually between the age of 6 and 12. These surfaces often have very deep grooves and fissures that are tricky to clean. As a result bacteria and food are more likely to become trapped.
The process to apply fissure sealants is very non-invasive so there is no need for local anaesthetic. The sealant is simply painted onto the chewing surfaces where it quickly hardens, forming a smooth, nearly invisible coating that is easy to clean. It is important to have fissure sealants applied as soon as possible as they can only protect teeth that don’t have any signs of decay and which do not have any fillings. Fissure sealants can protect these teeth for many years and may be re-applied when they become chipped and worn.
Oral hygiene can begin as soon as a child is born as their gums can be gently cleaned after each feeding. You can begin brushing their first tooth as soon as it emerges, using a baby toothbrush and fluoride-free toothpaste. We know it can be quite tricky to clean a young child’s mouth which is why we encourage all parents and caregivers to ask us for help and advice. We can show you the best way to clean their teeth, with the minimum of fuss and can show you how to floss their teeth once they begin to come into contact with each other.
As your child grows up, we can teach them about the importance of oral hygiene and will demonstrate the best way to brush and floss at home. Our aim is to help young children develop the right attitude towards their oral health care so they are able to maintain good dental health for life.
